Indian Standard Time Meridian

The Indian Standard Time (IST) Meridian marker near Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh marks the precise geographic location of the 82.5° East longitude line that defines Indian Standard Time — 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. India uses a single time zone for the entire country, and this meridian passing through Mirzapur was chosen as the reference point in 1905. A small pillar or marker identifies the spot, making it a unique geographic curiosity. Mirzapur's location at the centre of India's longitude further adds to its geographic significance alongside its spiritual importance as part of the Vindhyachal pilgrimage.